Tim Tebow was still taking labored breaths as he stepped into a large huddle of reporters Friday evening.

“I’m a little tired, actually,” Tebow said, with a chuckle, as he wiped some sweat from his face.

He surely meant that he was beat after a nearly three-hour long practice that included 7-on-7 passing drills, red-zone work and goal-line drills on a scorching August afternoon.

Yet figuratively, Tebow’s got to be exhausted. Even for a player used to the harsh glare of the media spotlight, these last few days have been a doozy for the Broncos’ second-year quarterback.

“The whole time y’all were talking, I wasn’t trying to listen,” Tebow said. “Just meet, try to get better and spend time doing the things I feel I needed to get better at. And worrying about what’s going to happen isn’t one of those things I try to do too much.”

Still, Tebow heard the chatter that has dominated the national sports shows, local radio airwaves and newspaper pages — about his shortcomings as a quarterback — and it was hard for a guy who is used to being liked.

“I’ll tell you this, just my own nature; I am very much a people pleaser. I like making people smile. I like making people laugh. I like pleasing people — whatever, coaches, teammates. So when I hear criticism, I hear negativity, on one hand, I try to block it out,” Tebow said. “But on the other, I hear it, and it motivates me, not that I necessarily need more motivation. . . . Not in any way do I take it as negativity towards myself personally, but to my game, so I want to improve my game and what people are criticizing. If anything, I appreciate it. I really do.”

It showed Friday, when Tebow had perhaps his best passing day since training camp opened more than a week ago.

After a twice-tipped ball interception early, Tebow — who split second-team snaps with Brady Quinn — was sharp and looked confident in the pocket, throwing deep passes. Among his best plays was a perfectly placed deep touchdown to rookie receiver Mark Dell, much to the delight of the fans sitting on the Dove Valley grass.

A cluster of those fans cheered and chanted his name long after practice was over, hoping Tebow would come over for an unscheduled autograph session. The quarterback this time did not oblige, choosing instead to spend 30 minutes throwing more passes and going through some more solo exercises.

Instead he patiently explained to a larger-than-normal throng of reporters that he wasn’t frustrated that Kyle Orton wasn’t traded and remained atop the depth chart, and that he was happy to be battling for playing time with Orton, who remains the clear No. 1, and Quinn.

“I want to work for anything I get, and I have always been that way,” Tebow said. “The plan the whole time was to come in and compete. And that’s what you want, and that’s what I love doing.”

Clarity to the Broncos’ messy quarterback situation should start to come this afternoon at the team’s open scrimmage at Invesco Field at Mile High, and Thursday in the first preseason game at Dallas.

“You go out there and you practice, and you earn your job,” Tebow said. “That’s how it was all along, and that’s how I took it and that’s what I was looking forward to.”

QB watch

Kyle Orton: Opened practice with a long toss down the middle of the field to wide receiver Eddie Royal that brought some cheers. The first-team defense, however, battled him hard Friday.

Tim Tebow: Two best throws were a scoring pass in the deep middle to Matthew Willis to go with a scoring pass to rookie Mark Dell in the right corner of the end zone in 7-on-7 drills.

Brady Quinn, left: Hit rookie tight end Julius Thomas for a score in team drills that featured Thomas’ run after a catch that included breaking a tackle in the secondary.

Adam Weber: Coach John Fox has been complimentary of the rookie’s efforts, and Weber has been a little more comfortable in the pocket each day.

Jeff Legwold, The Denver Post

Position battle

Running back

Depth at running back could be an immediate concern if the Broncos can’t get one or two of their injured players back on the field in the coming week or two.

LenDale White, left, has missed several days of practice since suffering what the Broncos described as low back spasms, and rookie Mario Fannin left Friday’s practice with what was initially described by coach John Fox as a knee sprain.

However, Fannin could miss significantly more time if additional exams reveal any serious ligament or cartilage damage.

White’s return has consistently been described as day to day, but the Broncos will have to monitor carries in the coming days, even as Willis McGahee works his way into the offense since he practiced for the first time Thursday evening since signing a four-year deal with the team.

McGahee and Knowshon Moreno are firmly positioned as the team’s top two backs, but the injuries could give a player such as Lance Ball an opportunity to get a little more work, particularly in today’s practice at Invesco Field at Mile High.

After watching Air Force kick the CU Buffaloes’ tail, not to mention their undefeated record, into the wild, blue yonder, here’s a legitimate question: How in the world is the Pac-12 recognized as a Power Five football conference?